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In the study that started in the 1930s, Harvard studied two groups of people: Young Harvard students and young boys from disadvantaged families living in Boston’s poorest neighborhoods. After brain scans, interviews with the participants, and blood samples, the study revealed that happiness and health is based more on good relationships in our lives than anything else.

Waldinger also stated that loneliness kills people both physically and mentally. The feeling of loneliness can be toxic; people who are isolated are less happy, their health declines sooner, their brain function declines sooner, and they live shorter lives.

You can check out the rest of Waldinger’s TED Talk video below.

Happiness is what drives our lives. Go out there and make new relationships and nurture the current ones you have with friends and family.